Author: Creative Programs and Systems - page 223

Electronic Components and Flooding

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Unexpected weather happens all across the country.  Flooding is a natural occurrence that is occurring more and more nowadays due to the changes in our climate.  Heavy rains tax the infrastructures that are in place to contain the overabundant water causing failures.  Once the water recedes it is time to evaluate the damage that has occurred.  This is true in both residential and commercial settings.

Evaluating electrical equipment is a serious issue.  Large manufacturing equipment is quite costly to replace.  After equipment has been subjected to large amounts of water it needs to be properly evaluated.  A thorough evaluation will give companies an idea on the most cost effective way to get up and operating.  Electrical equipment that has been involved in a flood is dangerous especially if the equipment is not properly re-energized before the equipment is properly reconditioned, refurbished, repaired or replaced.

Certain guidelines have been put in place recently due to the increase in floods.  Flood water comes from a variety of places and thus can be contaminated with chemicals, oils, saltwater and a combination of materials that can wreak havoc on electrical equipment affecting the manner in which the machine operates.  The NEC, National Electrical Code, states that internal electrical components subjected to flood water must not be damaged or contaminated by foreign materials.  This allows electrical equipment inspectors to reject the use of equipment that has possible damage or deterioration from corrosion or chemical actions and/or reactions.

Inspectors handle each type of electrical component differently based on the possible risk.  A working knowledge of electrical equipment is a must when evaluating the intricacies of each piece.  If it is deemed that the equipment can be salvaged it is crucial that properly trained technicians assist in the equipment reconditioning process.  The inspector will evaluate the piece based on several factors including the role it plays, the degree of flooding it was subjected to, the age of the equipment and the time it was submerged or exposed to flood waters.

The National Electrical Manufacturing Association, NEMA, has many public policies in place regarding electrical equipment standards after flooding.  There are several components that must simply be replaced no matter the circumstances of the flooding.  Items such as molded-case circuit breakers, Mylar wrapped busways, low voltage fuses and electronic trip power circuit breakers and more.   However, items such as busways with powder coated bushbars can often be reconditioned when the damage that is present has not inflicted damage to the over coating applied to the bushbars.

Anytime your facility incurs flood damage it is crucial to have all electrical equipment evaluated.  It is dangerous to operate any machinery after exposure to flood water even if it appears to be dry and free of damage.  Many times the damage done by flooding is internal or unseen to novices.  The safety of you and your employees must come before the urgency of operations.

J&P Electrical is a full service electrical equipment company.  At J&P, we supply contractors, end users and supply houses with new surplus, quality reconditioned and obsolete electrical equipment. Contact us today at https://jpelectricalcompany.com for all of your bus plug, circuit breaker, switchboard, fuses, disconnects and more.

J & P Electrical Company

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Quick and Easy Home Buying Checklist

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

If you are seriously considering a house to purchase take time to really look into it before making an offer or hiring a home inspector.  Many buyers don’t take the time necessary to look into a home’s they are seriously considering spending many years in.   A quick twenty minute once over is not going to suffice when really considering a home.

Make a checklist when working with a realtor.  A home without any potential can instantly be pulled from the list.  Homes that deserve consideration should be gone through using the check list below.  This list alone can save home buyers a ton of time and money.   This will help to ensure you aren’t paying for professional home inspections on homes that aren’t truly worth your time or money.

Checklist for New Home Buyers

Inspect the home for dampness:  Dampness can occur in a home for many reasons.  Some are easier to locate and fix than others.  A damp, moldy smell or flaking plaster may be coming from a small, easily repaired leak in the attic however it could also be coming from the place of a deeper more expensive issue.  It is best to find the reason the home is damp and evaluate it for yourself before putting an odder in on a home that exhibits any signs of moisture.

Examine the homes structural soundness: Look for cracks in the structure.  These may be small hairline cracks or larger fissures.  Check areas of stress such as window bays, extension joints and areas of the home where the structure can fall or bow away from the homes structure.  If you see serious issues understand that these repairs are costly and bringing in structural inspectors will cost you major money upfront for evaluation purposes only.  It may not be worth falling in love with a home that exhibits structural issues.

Check out storage space: Storage is a make or break deal for many homeowners.  Small issues such as where the trash will live or the vacuum cleaner will be stored are minor issues.  However, don’t overlook the need to store gardening supplies, holiday decorations, bikes, boats and more.  Check to see if cupboards or shelves can be installed to increase the amount of convenient and available storage space within the home.

Look into size of individual rooms: Measure each room to determine the exact size of the space.  Staging can be pretty tricky.  Designers take smaller scaled furniture and bring it in to enhance the spaciousness of smaller rooms. Be aware of this practice and don’t fall victim to it.  Measure the space and visually layout the size of your furniture or appliances in the room.  This will give you a more accurate way of determining if the space will fit your current belongings.

In our next installment on things buyers should overlook when buying a home we will examine further tricks involved in staging and how to spot issues when homes have had fresh flooring and paint updates.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

C21 Lady of the Lakes

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Three Common Interior Surface Options For Your Pool

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems - Updated

In pools there are three recommended surface options that are commonly used to update the interior surface: plaster, quartz and pebble. Quartz and pebble finishes were created to counterbalance the deficiencies found in plaster. No material is perfect when it comes to the interior surface of a pool. In looking for a material to use as your pools finish compare how the three of them stack up against each other.

Plaster: Both residential and commercial pools are most commonly surfaced with white pool plaster. The finish is smooth and the white plaster often turns the water a radiant blue color. There are a number of other color choices when it comes to pool plaster but white is the most common choice to install.

Plaster is the most inexpensive material to use in resurfacing a pool however it is not always the hardiest of options. Plaster is a combination of white cement and marble dust. The surface is naturally porous which makes it more vulnerable to stains and growth of bacteria. Plaster surfaces require more chemicals to keep the water chemistry balanced. A brand new plaster pool surface lasts about five to ten years with proper care.

Quartz: Another common material used to surface the interior of the pool is quartz. The quartz aggregate material is mixed in with plaster and offers multiple benefits including that it is hard and non-porous which makes it stain resistant. Quartz is a longer lasting, durable surface over that of conventional white pool plaster.

Another benefit of using quartz in surfacing pools is the variety of colors it comes in. It is a bit more expensive than traditional pool plaster however you can expect the lifespan of the surface to increase five to ten years over conventional plaster.

Pebble: A pebble interior pool surface is a mixture of plaster with pebble aggregate. The pebbles will actually cover most of the pools surface. The greatest benefit of pebble aggregate is that it is the most stain resistant and durable within the pool industry. A pebble surface is more expensive then plaster alone. A pebble surface lasts upwards of twenty years if it is well maintained.

Most pool plastering companies have a variety of pool surfaces available for consumers to choose from. Unique finishes and a variety of colors can create an interior pool surface that will make any residential or commercial pool more visually appealing. Traditional plaster is a good inexpensive option with a traditional look, quartz is a strong, non-porous option with a finish sprinkled with glitz and bits of color and a pebble finish looks like a stony riverbed with increased stain resistance that is long lasting. All three finishes on a pools interior surface are good choices.

Pound Pool Plastering repairs commercial and residential gunite swimming pools including coping, tile and plaster repairs. For more information or to request a quote, visit us at http://www.pound-pool-plastering.com/.

Pound Pool Plastering

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Mortgage Brokers Bridging The Gabe Between Lenders and Borrowers

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Let’s face it most of us are not the ideal borrower.  We don’t all have good credit ratings, substantial down payments, low debt to income ratios and more.  In fact most borrowers have credit problems and obstacles to overcome when trying to meet lender requirements especially when seeking to refinance or to obtain a new home mortgage.

There are however, solutions to these common problems faced by both mortgage lenders and borrows.  A mortgage broker can often help assistance to bridge the gap between lenders and borrowers.

Blemished credit is a common issue that can occur when borrowers have had issues making payments to past creditors.  If you have a history of non payments, late payments or accounts that are delinquent you will have to face these problems head on.  When your credit is evaluated lenders will see these blemishes negatively and may be reluctant to approve your loan.

There is not a sure fire way to improve your credit score immediately.  It will take some time but if you take action sooner than later it will show lenders that you are serious about getting your credit history together. Be upfront with your mortgage broker so that they can address your credit issues head on when looking for a home loan that works for you both.  Offer an explanation as to why there were issues in credit such as the loss of a job, a serious illness or other event that resulted in the inability to pay your bills on time.  Mortgage brokers may suggest that you seek out a cosigner for your mortgage.  This person should have an exceptional credit history along with a high credit rating.

If you are seeking to buy a fixer upper or cooperative apartment it will be difficult to find a lender.  The reason is that there are already complexities when it comes to buying into cooperative living situations.  The mortgage on a cooperative apartment is different than that of a standard mortgage.

Homes that require a great deal of repairs before they are considered safe are also hard to get mortgages on.  These repairs can be quiet expensive and often exceed three percent of the homes overall value.  This makes getting a mortgage loan problematic.  A lender may be more apt to present a borrower with the option of two separate loans.  A mortgage may be given to purchase the home and a construction loan to make necessary repairs and improvements.

More issues that can cause borrowers headaches in lending are:

A low appraisal on the home
A high debt to income ratio
A low income

Don’t let these issues worry you.  Strap on your creative boots while working directly with mortgage broker that has connections within the lending industry to seek the best mortgage option for your situation.

Cross Country Mortgage in Brighton, Michigan provide mortgage services for clients including new home loans, refinancing, reversed mortgages, new purchase home mortgages and home equity loans to the entire Livingston County area including Brighton, Howell and Livingston County. Cross Country Mortgage Brighton, MI at http://brightoncrosscountry.com/.

Brighton Cross Country Mortgage

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Benefits of Installing A Driveway Entry Gate

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Homeowners often think of ways to improve their homes safety.  The first place many begin is with a driveway security entry gate.  As you start researching the installation of a security gate consider the benefits that come along with it besides the added security to your family and home.

List of Benefits That Come Along with Installing an Electronic Driveway Gates

Increased property value: Adding an electronic driveway entry gate to your home enhances the property value of your home.  Installing a new remote entry gate adds equity to your home value.  In fact the cost of the gate is likely to improve the equity on the home above and beyond the actual cost of the electronic gate materials, installation and maintenance services.

Enhanced aesthetics: A new driveway entry gate improves the look of your landscape.  Gates come in a variety of styles, colors, sizes and materials.  You can match the entry gate to your fencing for an enhanced look to your hard.

Remote entry: With remote entry an access entry is the most convenient way in and out of your home.  You never have to leave the car to access entry to the home with the use of access control systems.  A remote access gate works much like a garage door.  Another feature that is extremely handy is that ability to power the fence on a timer.  Once you drive through the fence it will automatically close a few seconds later.

Reduced insurance premiums: Many insurance companies will reduce the premiums for homeowners that have driveway entry gates.  They are highly secure and effective at securing and protecting your family and property from outsiders.  This is of an increased benefit to insurers as the added protection makes your home less inviting to intruders thus less likely you will ever need to file a claim.

Privacy: Electronic entry gates can be made from a variety of materials including wood, chain link, aluminum, wrought iron and more.  If you desire a gate that secludes the yard choose a solid fence material like wood.  A wooden electronic gate when used in combination with privacy fencing allows for a complete seclusion of your home.

Improved security: Electronic entry gates improve safety for a number of reasons including:

The gate itself is designed to block out intruders and prevent physical access to the home and family.

Camera can be installed on the gate so that homeowners can verify who is asking for entry before allowing access to the home.  Cameras can also detect intruders trying to access the space 24/7.

Intercoms can be placed by the entry to permit people to request entry.

The installation of an electronic driveway gate improves the safety of your home.  It also adds convenience to entry with the use of remote controls and keypad entry.  The overall value of a driveway gate is seen over and over with the various benefits it adds to your home.

SAC Fence Michigan offers a variety of electronic driveway gates, access control entry systems and fence options for homeowners to choose from.  You will find a variety of fencing options online at http://www.sacfencemi.com/.

SAC Fence

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Projects That Add Value to Your Home

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Kitchen Renovations: The kitchen is the main hub of the home.  Updates within the kitchen go a long way in increasing the value of the property and building your homes equity.  When you invest in the kitchen it is possible to recoup around sixty to one hundred and twenty percent of the investment that was put into the home improvement project.  The kitchen renovations should be kept within reason; don’t ever make the kitchen more impressive than the rest of the home or homes within the neighborhood.   Avoid the mistakes below:

1) Stop over Upgrading: Don’t invest sixty thousand dollars in a kitchen in a neighborhood that is full of first time home buyers with houses in the low hundred thousand.  The investment will not pay out in the end.  The style, size and quality of the kitchen remodel should remain similar to those in the neighborhood.

2) Paint is Important: Kitchens are easily freshened up with a coat of fresh paint.  Paint is relatively cheap and an update in color can really clean up the kitchen.  Make sure the color of the paint is a neutral color that can allow buyers to see themselves within the space.

3) Eco-Friendly Appliances: Energy efficiency is important in all home improvements but especially crucial when it comes to updating your kitchen appliances.  Appliances with energy star ratings are not only good for the environment but are also less expensive for potential buyers to operate.

4) Bathroom Upgrades:  A bathroom renovation is another terrific way to invest in your home.  Adding a bathroom or updating an existing bathroom is a home improvement many homeowners chose.  A new bathroom can recoup anywhere from eighty to one hundred thirty percent of the investment made.  Again, be careful that you don’t over upgrade.  Don’t invest in overly expensive faucets or tubs.  The renovation style should stay in line with that of the overall home while noting other bathroom additions in neighborhood homes

5) Reinvent a Room: Take a space within the home and reinvent it.  Finish a basement, upgrade an attic or improve the space above the garage to add additional square foot to your home.  Consider potential uses for the space before beginning the renovation process.  Rooms that are versatile are a great bonus to potential buyers.  Basements can be transformed into extra living space that can be used as a living room, playroom or apartment for rent.  Attic spaces are great additional spaces for craft rooms, play rooms and more.  Usually an attic space will be renovated to accentuate the higher ceilings.

These are just a few of the ways to make home improvements that will bring value to your home when you go to sell it later on down the road.

The Home Doctor, based in Livingston County including Brighton and Howell Michigan, offers a variety of home renovations to clients ranging from bathroom remodeling to age in place home modifications.  Contact http://glenmillerthehomedoctor.com/ today all of your home renovating needs.

Glen Miller The Home Doctor

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Prepare For the Spring Real Estate Rush

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

When it comes to real estate the busiest buying season of the year for residential real estate is the spring.  The long northern winters make buyers and sellers alike ready to take advantage of the nicer weather and jump into the real estate market.  No matter whether you are a first time home buyer or you have been in the market awhile there are some essential home buying tips to follow in order to ensure you find the home of your dreams.

Tip #1 For Buying A Home:  Enlist the Assistance of a Professional Real Estate Agent

When it comes to buying a home it is important that you enlist the help pf a professional real estate agent.  It is important to find an agent that is local to the area that make the challenge of narrowing down your search for the perfect home a whole lot easier.  Real estate professionals have the inside scoop on homes in their market this is incredibly crucial when looking for a home during the spring when the market is active and full of buyers.

Tip #2 For Buying A Home:  Make a List of That Includes Your Needs and Wants

Understand what you need and want in a home.  A home isn’t only about the actual house it is a total package the neighborhood, the property and more.  Some needs may be a certain number of bedrooms and bathrooms, a garage and a fenced in yard.  Wants are things that aren’t needed but desired such as a gourmet kitchen, a weight room or an in-ground swimming pool.

Tip #3 For Buying A Home: Get Pre-Qualified For a Mortgage

Sellers are more apt to approve an offer from buyers who are already pre-approved.  It is also an important measure in the hunt for the perfect home.  A mistake that buyers often make is over estimating just how much they can afford.  Meet with a mortgage broker as soon as you start thinking about purchasing a home.  Mortgage brokers will give you several mortgage options for your financial situation which will allow you to know the price range of homes that you should be looking at.

Tip #4 For Buying A Home: Keep Your Numbers Top of Mind

Don’t assume that the mortgage payment is the only payment that will increase when you purchase a home.  You will not only need to know the monthly payments it will be important to know the cost of PMI, primary mortgage insurance, the tax expense, water and sewer bills, extra utility costs and more.

Tip #5 For Buying A Home: Prepare Documentation Ahead of Time

In order to ensure the entire process of finding a home and financing that home is smooth buyers should prepare for the onslaught of paperwork.  Begin the process by compiling needed documents into a single location.  You will want copies of government issued identification, tax returns, pay stub information, bank statements, investment documentation and anything that stats your income and debt.

These five tips can make the home buying process a whole lot simpler.   No matter if you are a first time home buyer or have been a part of the real estate market for a number of years these tips can help make sure you get the home of your dreams.

Cross Country Mortgage in Brighton, Michigan provide mortgage services for clients including new home loans, refinancing, reversed mortgages, new purchase home mortgages and home equity loans to the entire Livingston County area including Brighton, Howell and Livingston County. Cross Country Mortgage Brighton, MI at http://brightoncrosscountry.com/.

Brighton Cross Country Mortgage

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Time and Patience Needed When Buying A New Home

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

The entire process of buying a home takes time and patience.  Home buyers are excited and often times a bit overenthusiastic to get into the home of their dreams.  This fanatical excitement can often leave home buyers to sabotage their real estate agents efforts at getting their client a home of their dreams.  When working with a realtor here are some things to be aware of to ensure a smooth home buying process.  Creating a relationship of mutual understanding between realtor and client is essential for buyers to get the home of their dreams.

Are You Guilty of Sabotaging Your New Home Dreams?

One mistake many buyers make is that they care too much about the homes aesthetics.  Professional real estate agents are happy to show you just as many houses as desire until you find the one that is perfect for you.  The problem is that many buyers can only see the beauty as it is and forget that the splendor of any home is more than meets the eye.  Initially, it may be tempting to get caught up in how the house currently looks however a house that is out of date, dirty or in need of some small handyman repairs buyers are often tempted to run and continue their search elsewhere.

Buyers should consider this instead:

The cost of improvements that need to be done to the home can be negotiated into the closing deal.  It can even be set up that the minor fixes that you would like to see done can be included in the details of the contract.

Another common mistake is that buyers often show their hand and give away any ability to negotiate.  Your comfort with your real estate agent is crucial however don’t let it get in the way of making the best deal possible with the seller.  It has happened before; many buyers start talking a bit too much when looking at homes and sellers overhear their criticisms.  When this occurs it could hurt the entire negotiation process.

When you find the home you love don’t make the mistake of waiting too long to put an offer on the table.  In a competitive real estate market there isn’t a lot of time to wait to make an offer.   Nothing drives a real estate agent nuttier than knowing they have found their buyer the perfect home and yet they aren’t ready to commit.  If you find a home you are in love with put an offer in, get the negotiation process started and begin planning for your future.

Don’t make the mistake of thinking that buying a home is all about money.  Yes a large offer looks appealing but a lower offer with few contingencies and the perfect timing can appear even more tempting.

It is important to listen to your real estate agent throughout the entire process.  When you discuss with them what you want and need they are listening to you.  They are the professionals and this is what you are paying them for.  Be sure to put your faith in them, take to heart their advice and allow them to guide you down the path to homeownership.

Lady of the Lakes Real Estate is Livingston County’s premiere realtor; out of Pinckney, Michigan helping buyers buy and sellers sell homes that provide a recreational lifestyle including golf courses, lakes and the Huron river chain of lakes, throughout Brighton, Howell, Pinckney and the surrounding area. Find out more at http://www.ladyofthelakes.com.

C21 Lady of the Lakes

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Is It Finally Time To Talk With A Bankruptcy Attorney

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

How do you know if it is finally the time for you to throw in the financial towel and start a serious discussion about filing for bankruptcy?  The term itself is one that invokes an array of emotions: failure, sadness, defeat, relief, disappointment and more.  Bankruptcy doesn’t just involve individuals it is also something that can occur to corporate companies.  In a world where living in debt seems to be the norm how do you know when it is time to finally call it quits and meet with a bankruptcy attorney to seek relief.

When assessing if you are in the financial disaster zone there are a few questions to ask yourself.

1)      Is it only financially possible for you to make the minimum payment on your credit cards?

2)      Do you have bill collectors calling you on a regular or semi-regular basis?

3)      When you think about sitting down and working out a plan for your financial future are you scared?  Do you feel like your life is spinning out of control?

4)      Are you using your credit cards for necessities such as gas and groceries?

5)      Have you considered debt consolidation?

6)      Does it make you nervous to total the amount you actually owe?

If you have answered yes to more than one of the questions about it is possible that you need to give our financial situation a serious look.  Bankruptcy is a very viable solution when you actually owe more than you can afford on a regular basis.

The first step is to make a list of your liquid assets.  This should include items such as real estate, stocks, bonds, college savings accounts, non-bank assets, real estate and more.  A rough estimate of these figures should be good enough for these purposes.

The next step is to create a detailed list of bills and credit card statements.  When the value of your assets is less than the amount of debt that you owe one way out of this situation is speaking with a bankruptcy attorney and declaring bankruptcy.  This is not an issue that is ever easy.  Bankruptcy is not a simple, sure all for debt that is spinning out of control.

Bankruptcy can happen in two different manners.  The most common routes for individuals and corporations is to voluntarily consult with an attorney who will assist you through the proper channels in filing bankruptcy.  A second manner in which bankruptcy is filed is that creditors ask the court to order individuals into bankruptcy.

Bohikian Law Group specializes in chapter 7 and chapter 13 bankruptcies in Michigan. Contact us today to find a bankruptcy attorney that will help you in debt relief at http://www.bohikianlaw.com/ today.

Dickron Bohikian Law Group

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Deciphering Antique Cane Condition Descriptions

Posted on by Creative Programs and Systems

Vintage cane prices vary significantly depending on a number of aspects.  Antique cane prices differ due to the condition of the cane, the canes materials and the age of the cane.  When you are purchasing a classical cane it is important inspect these three things before committing to purchase an antique cane for your collection.

Definitions of Cane Conditions

New Cane Conditions

When an antique cane is listed as a cane in new condition it means that the cane itself has never been used.    The cane is in perfect condition and should show absolutely no signs of deterioration.  Yellowing or discoloration is not uncommon when certain materials are used in the construction of a cane.  It is also important to make note that a cane that is antique may be fragile because of the overall age of the cane.

Like New or Mint Cane Conditions

Vintage canes that are listed in like new or mint condition may have been used at some point but show very little signs of wear.  Overall, most of the canes original components are in place in canes listed in like new or mint condition.  Caps and tips may not be the original ones that the cane came with but the overall appearance of the cane should be restored to their original appearance.

Used Cane Conditions

Used is vague when involving antique canes especially with sellers that have little experience with vintage items.  In order to determine a fair market value for a cane listed in used condition should be heavily inspected by the individual looking to purchase it.  Examine the vintage canes condition in order to allow a value to be placed on the piece.  Consider the material that the cane is created from as well as the canes age and used condition before settling on a solid price to pay for a cane in this condition.

Good Cane Conditions:  A vintage cane in good condition is one that is still fully functions.  It will show normal signs of wear and deterioration.  Original components will make up most of the cane but it is important to note that a replacement handle, cap or tip may be in place.  If you are purchasing antique canes based upon the originality of the pieces handle a cane that’s handle has been replaced is probably not the best option to add to your collection.

Poor Cane Conditions:  Antique cane conditions that are listed in poor shape will often show incredible amounts of wear and tear.  In order to publically use these canes users will want to restore them.  Poor condition canes are hardly ever purchased to add to a true collector’s collection.

For Salvage Canes Conditions:   Canes listed in salvage condition should be considered part only canes.  Canes in these conditions are only being sold for parts.  If a collector is looking for a specific knob or badge for canes in their collections they should look for canes in salvageable condition.

Antique Cane World is an online retailer of antique canes, walking sticks and umbrellas.  Contact us today for more information on antique canes, unique umbrellas and more at http://www.antiquecaneworld.com/.

Antique Cane World

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